District of Columbia Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply
District of Columbia unemployment: can you get benefits if fired or you quit, weekly benefit amounts, how many weeks, work search rules, how to apply and appeal.
Quick answers for District of Columbia
- If you were fired
- If you were fired for gross misconduct, you are ineligible until you have worked in 10 later weeks (not necessarily in a row) and earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. D.C. Code § 51-110(b)
- Weekly benefit amount
- Your weekly benefit is 1/26 of your wages in the highest-paid quarter of your base period, rounded up to the next dollar. The maximum weekly benefit is $444. DOES Unemployment FAQs; D.C. Code § 51-107(b)
- How many weeks
- A standard 26 weeks: total benefits in a benefit year are 26 times your weekly benefit amount. DOES Unemployment FAQs; D.C. Code § 51-107(d)
- How to apply
- File a new claim online through the DOES portal (does.dcnetworks.org); DOES no longer takes new claims by phone. You must verify your identity through ID.me or at an American Job Center. DOES, Apply for Benefits
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Who qualifies
| If you were fired | If you were fired for gross misconduct, you are ineligible until you have worked in 10 later weeks (not necessarily in a row) and earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. If you were fired for other (less serious) misconduct, you are ineligible for the first 8 weeks otherwise payable, or until you have worked 8 later weeks and earned at least 8 times your weekly benefit amount, and your total benefits are reduced by 8 times your weekly benefit amount. Misconduct is defined by DOES regulations. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 51-110(b) |
|---|---|
| If you quit | If you quit your most recent job without good cause connected with the work, you are ineligible until you have worked in 10 later weeks and earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. Good cause includes unsafe work locations or conditions that would cause a reasonable person to leave. Benefits cannot be denied for leaving to go with a spouse or domestic partner to a place where commuting is impractical, or to care for an ill or disabled family member. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 51-110(a), (d) |
| Layoffs and reduced hours | You must have lost your job through no fault of your own and be able, available and actively seeking work. If your hours are reduced, you may receive partial benefits under the partial-earnings formula. If you were fired, quit, or your employer disputes the layoff, processing can take up to 21 days. |
| Earnings needed to qualify | You need wages of at least $1,300 in one quarter of your base period and at least $1,950 in two or more quarters, and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest-quarter wages. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 51-107(c)(1) |
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | D.C. unemployment law covers any individual who is an employee under the usual common-law rules for deciding the employer-employee relationship, plus certain listed workers such as some agent or commission drivers and full-time traveling salespeople. Earnings from self-employment count as earnings under the law. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 51-101 |
How much and how long
| Weekly benefit amount | Your weekly benefit is 1/26 of your wages in the highest-paid quarter of your base period, rounded up to the next dollar. The maximum weekly benefit is $444. Since 2018 the DOES Director sets the maximum each calendar year (recommended by September 30 and subject to D.C. Council review). The U.S. Department of Labor's July 2026 summary of state laws lists D.C. at $50 to $444. |
|---|---|
| How many weeks | A standard 26 weeks: total benefits in a benefit year are 26 times your weekly benefit amount. |
| Waiting week | Yes. You must serve a one-week unpaid waiting period. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 51-109(5) |
| Working part-time on benefits | If you work part-time, your weekly payment is your weekly benefit amount plus $50, minus 66% of your earnings for the week, rounded down; it can never be more than your regular weekly benefit amount. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 51-107(e) |
| Severance and vacation pay | Benefits are reduced by wages received in lieu of notice of dismissal. For benefit years beginning on or after July 1, 2004, a pension or annuity from a base period employer's plan reduces benefits by the prorated weekly amount (if you did not contribute to the plan). Social Security benefits do not reduce your benefit. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 51-107(c)(2) |
Applying and keeping benefits
| How to apply | File a new claim online through the DOES portal (does.dcnetworks.org); DOES no longer takes new claims by phone. You must verify your identity through ID.me or at an American Job Center. Have your Social Security number, your most recent employer's name, address, phone and dates of employment, alien registration number if applicable, DD214 if ex-military, SF-8 or SF-50 if a former federal employee, and severance and pension information. Certify weekly starting the Sunday after you file, online or by phone at (202) 724-7000, no later than 7 days after the week-ending date. Source: DOES, Apply for Benefits |
|---|---|
| Work search requirements | Complete at least two verifiable work search contacts each week (such as job applications, job fairs, or contacting prospective employers) and keep a record of them. You must also register for work with the employment office as DOES directs. |
| Appealing a denial | File your appeal with the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings (not DOES) within 15 calendar days of the date DOES mailed the Claims Examiner's Determination (or from actual delivery if it was not mailed or went to the wrong address); a deadline on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day. File in person or by mail at One Judiciary Square, 441 Fourth Street NW, Suite 450 North, Washington, DC 20001-2714, by fax to (202) 442-4789, or by email. Source: DOES, Information on Appeals |
| Logging in and filing weekly claims | In the District of Columbia, unemployment claimants file a weekly continued claim (weekly certification) online through DCNetworks, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Unemployment Insurance Benefits System, signing in with ID.me credentials; you can also certify by phone at (202) 724-7000. If you cannot file online or by phone, you may mail the form or file at any American Job Center in the District. The DOES line (202) 724-7000 also handles DC UI benefit issues (it cannot reset ID.me passwords); TTY (202) 698-4817. DCNetworks link on the page: https://www.dcnetworks.org/vosnet/Default.aspx |
Where to get help in District of Columbia
Unemployment Benefits FAQ
Can you get unemployment if you were fired in District of Columbia?
If you were fired for gross misconduct, you are ineligible until you have worked in 10 later weeks (not necessarily in a row) and earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. If you were fired for other (less serious) misconduct, you are ineligible for the first 8 weeks otherwise payable, or until you have worked 8 later weeks and earned at least 8 times your weekly benefit amount, and your total benefits are reduced by 8 times your weekly benefit amount. Misconduct is defined by DOES regulations.
Can you get unemployment if you quit in District of Columbia?
If you quit your most recent job without good cause connected with the work, you are ineligible until you have worked in 10 later weeks and earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. Good cause includes unsafe work locations or conditions that would cause a reasonable person to leave. Benefits cannot be denied for leaving to go with a spouse or domestic partner to a place where commuting is impractical, or to care for an ill or disabled family member.
Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in District of Columbia?
You must have lost your job through no fault of your own and be able, available and actively seeking work. If your hours are reduced, you may receive partial benefits under the partial-earnings formula. If you were fired, quit, or your employer disputes the layoff, processing can take up to 21 days.
How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in District of Columbia?
You need wages of at least $1,300 in one quarter of your base period and at least $1,950 in two or more quarters, and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest-quarter wages.
How much is unemployment in District of Columbia?
Your weekly benefit is 1/26 of your wages in the highest-paid quarter of your base period, rounded up to the next dollar. The maximum weekly benefit is $444. Since 2018 the DOES Director sets the maximum each calendar year (recommended by September 30 and subject to D.C. Council review).
How long can you get unemployment in District of Columbia?
A standard 26 weeks: total benefits in a benefit year are 26 times your weekly benefit amount.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in District of Columbia?
Yes. You must serve a one-week unpaid waiting period.
What are the work search requirements for unemployment in District of Columbia?
Complete at least two verifiable work search contacts each week (such as job applications, job fairs, or contacting prospective employers) and keep a record of them. You must also register for work with the employment office as DOES directs.
Does severance pay affect unemployment in District of Columbia?
Benefits are reduced by wages received in lieu of notice of dismissal. For benefit years beginning on or after July 1, 2004, a pension or annuity from a base period employer's plan reduces benefits by the prorated weekly amount (if you did not contribute to the plan). Social Security benefits do not reduce your benefit.
How do I apply for unemployment in District of Columbia?
File a new claim online through the DOES portal (does.dcnetworks.org); DOES no longer takes new claims by phone. You must verify your identity through ID.me or at an American Job Center. Have your Social Security number, your most recent employer's name, address, phone and dates of employment, alien registration number if applicable, DD214 if ex-military, SF-8 or SF-50 if a former federal employee, and severance and pension information. Certify weekly starting the Sunday after you file, online or by phone at (202) 724-7000, no later than 7 days after the week-ending date.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in District of Columbia?
File your appeal with the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings (not DOES) within 15 calendar days of the date DOES mailed the Claims Examiner's Determination (or from actual delivery if it was not mailed or went to the wrong address); a deadline on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day. File in person or by mail at One Judiciary Square, 441 Fourth Street NW, Suite 450 North, Washington, DC 20001-2714, by fax to (202) 442-4789, or by email.
Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in District of Columbia?
If you work part-time, your weekly payment is your weekly benefit amount plus $50, minus 66% of your earnings for the week, rounded down; it can never be more than your regular weekly benefit amount.
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in District of Columbia?
D.C. unemployment law covers any individual who is an employee under the usual common-law rules for deciding the employer-employee relationship, plus certain listed workers such as some agent or commission drivers and full-time traveling salespeople. Earnings from self-employment count as earnings under the law.
Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in District of Columbia?
In the District of Columbia, unemployment claimants file a weekly continued claim (weekly certification) online through DCNetworks, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Unemployment Insurance Benefits System, signing in with ID.me credentials; you can also certify by phone at (202) 724-7000. If you cannot file online or by phone, you may mail the form or file at any American Job Center in the District. The DOES line (202) 724-7000 also handles DC UI benefit issues (it cannot reset ID.me passwords); TTY (202) 698-4817.
Unemployment Benefits in other states
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